If you or someone you love will be living with a missing arch of teeth in the future, you’ve probably spent some time researching dentures, dental implants and other kinds of restoration. You may have stumbled upon the term “teeth in a day”, which – as the name implies – promises to fully repair your smile in a single day. But what exactly is this procedure? Who is it for? And does it live up to the name? Here’s a quick guide to getting teeth in a day.
What is Teeth in a Day?
Teeth in a day is an advanced technique for giving patients dentures supported by dental implants. Four implant posts are enough to replace an entire arch of teeth (which is why another name for the procedure is all-on-4). They are placed in strategic locations at specific angles; in particular, the posterior posts are positioned so that they take advantage of the denser areas near the front of the jawbone.
Can You Really Get New Teeth in Just One Day?
Some patients misunderstand where the name “teeth in a day” comes from. It doesn’t mean that you’ll only need one appointment; you’ll still have to visit your dentist a few times prior to the surgery for examinations and jaw preparations.
The name actually refers to how quickly prosthetic teeth can be placed on the implant posts. Normally, you would have to wait for the posts to fuse with the jawbone before filling in the empty space in your mouth, which can take months. However, with teeth in a day, you can get temporary dentures to wear until your mouth is ready for the permanent ones. That means you won’t have to wait to start using your new implants to eat and speak normally again.
What are the Benefits of Teeth in a Day?
If you need a denture replacement in the near future, an implant procedure like teeth in a day could make for an excellent upgrade. The added stability and strength will let you eat a wider variety of foods, and since the dentures can be permanently anchored in place, you won’t have to worry about removing them for regular cleanings anymore. The implant posts themselves require little maintenance, and they can last for the rest of your life in many cases. And of course, you’ll enjoy the boost of confidence that comes from having a beautiful smile that looks and feels natural in your mouth.
Talk to your dentist about teeth in a day or all-on-4 as soon as you think you might be facing extensive tooth loss. Dental implants can make a huge difference in giving you a fully functional grin, and the sooner you can get dentures, the sooner you can enjoy them!
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran is a native of Southern California who has been interested in dentistry since spending a lot of time at his father’s practice at a young age. At Covina Family Dental, he is skilled at surgically placing dental implants and can offer the all-on-4 procedure for patients who need full dentures. To schedule an appointment at his Covina practice, visit his website or call (626) 331-0688.